India’s rise welcomed as positive factor: PM

NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said the world expected India to play a more important role in the global polity and economy as the country’s rise as an emerging nation was seen as a positive factor in international relations.

“The world expects India to play a more important role in the management of global polity and economy. India’s rise as an emerging nation is welcomed as a positive factor in international relations,” Manmohan Singh said at the ninth edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, India’s annual event to connect with its 25-million strong diaspora in 130 nations.

He said India’s contributions in the G20 or in the climate change conference held recently in Cancun were “noteworthy”.

India’s stand at the global summits, he said, was “derived from our unique experience of tackling the challenge of developmental challenges, our emphasis on values and our tradition of building consensus among different sections and interests.”

Manmohan Singh mentioned that India in 2010 had the honour of hosting leaders of five permanent member countries of the UN Security Council

“The year gone by has been a busy year for Indian diplomacy. We had the honour of receiving leaders from all countries which are permanent members of the UN Security Council in India.

“We have this year become a member of the United Nations Security Council for a period of two years. We will play our due and commensurate role in international bodies and we will seek to promote what is good for India and good for the world at large,” he said.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being attended by some 1,500 delegates from 51 countries. New Zealand Governor-General Anand Satyanand was the chief guest.